Bolton Peregrine Falcons return to the Town Hall to breed

The bird, a female of the species, has joined the Peregrine Falcon family which lives in the town, having been spotted atop Bolton Town Hall. 

According to the Manchester Raptor Group, an enthusiast organisation concerned with birds of prey, she was born around a year ago at Worcester Cathedral. 

She remained there at least until September for her parents to teach her how to hunt, before at some point making her way to Bolton, a journey as the crow flies of over 96 miles. 

The new bird which has appeared in the town this year (Image: Stacey Gorman)

Judith Smith, Chair of the Manchester Raptor Group, said: "She was only born last year, you can tell that because she has a large orange ring on her leg which says 'XJH', which we can track back to Worcester Cathedral. 

"She has done 90 miles or so to live in Bolton with a male who is much older than her and more experienced, hopefully next year they will have babies." 

In previous years, the Peregrines have gone to the Town Hall to nest, but due to her young age, it is highly unlikely that she will have babies this year. 

Judith said: "She is only one-year-old, we are pretty sure she couldn't breed yet, it is a physiological thing, they usually can't breed at one years, although we did have it in Rochdale at that age once. 

A falcon in the tray at Bolton Town Hall (Image: Tony Hammond)

"They are moving around between the Parish Church, the Town Hall Clock Tower and the telecommunications mast on Spa Road. 

"We are not sure what has happened to the old female. We also don't know when this bird came in, probably around New Year." 

Read more: Bolton Peregrine Falcons spotted along with new chicks

Read more: Town hall’s peregrines welcome new fledgling

Judith says Bolton Council are not allowing those from the raptor society up the Clock Tower to put rings on the Falcons, due to work which is set to take place on it. 

She said: "What I would like to see in Bolton is what they have got in Rochdale, they got 100k views in the last four weeks for their live webcam. 

The two young Peregrines at Rivington last year (Image: Michael Callaghan)

"If Bolton Council were to do the same then that is more traffic to their website, and they are better able to inform people of things. 

"There is also a camera already set up on the balcony at the Town Hall, but it has never been activated. If they have the camera it is popular and makes people proud of their town." 

A spokesperson for Bolton Council said:  “Unfortunately, it is not possible to set up a camera in the Clock Tower at present due to some health and safety considerations around planned town hall maintenance.”

This comes after two young Peregrine Falcons joined the family last year and were captured by local enthusiasts.